RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Hawker, Lilian E. A1 Thomas, Barbara A1 Beckett, A.YR 1970 T1 An Electron Microscope Study of Structure and Germination of Conidia of Cunninghamella elegans Lendner JF Microbiology, VO 60 IS 2 SP 181 OP 189 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-60-2-181 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB SUMMARY: The spines projecting from the surface of the mature conidia of Cunninghamella elegans are hollow and are more or less circular in cross-section. The scanning electron microscope shows blunt tips and disc-like bases. The bases are partially embedded in shallow depressions in the outer wall of the spore. The spines are readily detached during processing for transmission electron microscopy. Mature ungerminated conidia have 2-layered walls, and contain several nuclei, many mitochondria, numerous lipid bodies and sparse endoplasmic reticulum. Shortly after being placed in water or a nutrient solution the conidia swell; irregular-shaped food vacuoles develop and the lipid bodies largely disappear. Germination takes place from 1 to 3 hr afterwards. A layer of material, denser than the original inner spore wall, develops over the germ-tube initial and later extends over the germ tube after emergence, tapering just behind the point of emergence to a thin dense line surrounding the entire spore. Both layers of the original spore wall are ruptured by emergence of the germ tube, apparently mechanically. These observations are relevant to the evolution of conidia., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-60-2-181